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Sunday, April 20, 2014

For the last several years, I have dreaded driving the rig to a new location. It didn’t start out that way, but as time has gone by the dread crept in. I think I’ve figured out why. For the last three or four years, every time I head out it’s like the Trials and Travails of Pauline!

Finally saw a least bittern on my last drive around Shoveler Pond last Thursday.

I read a lot of blogs about RVers, and they seem to travel all around the country with very few traumas or mishaps. I, on the other hand, don’t ever seem to go anywhere without Murphy following me. I’ve had to have the rig towed three times, had three windshield wipers fly off, had the fridge break down twice, had the awning unfurl while traveling several times, and have had the computer mother board that controls all driving of the rig go kaput. Why am I so plagued? I keep the maintenance on the rig up to date, but that doesn’t seem to help.

Anyway, I’ve decided that I will have a trouble free journey this time. I sure hope I’m right. I’ve got just about all my packing up taken care of for my departure tomorrow. All I have to do is unhook the utilities, hook up the toad, and blow this popsicle stand!

I was going to wait until tomorrow to pack away the DISH, as there were a few programs I was going to record tonight. I thought better of that idea. I keep the DISH stuff in the trunk of the car when I’m traveling, and have my bicycle hooked onto the back of the trunk. I decided to get it all done tonight. I was surprised that I was able to lift the bike up above my shoulders to get it on the holder, but I muscled it up there. I thought sure I’d have to ask someone for help tomorrow.

I’ve only got a little over 150 miles to go tomorrow to get to Thibodeaux’s to get the new automatic satellite dish installed and some maintenance issues taken care of. I’ve pretty much plotted out my course to Minnesota, and I’ll be taking some different roads this time. I’m not going to push it too hard at the beginning of the journey because I’m hoping for it to warm up some in the north woods. Ever optimistic…

The power of positive thinking! Yes, an uneventful and safe trip all the way...We are the same way when it comes to leave...packing and getting everything in its place. Glad to hear your shoulder is OK. Safe travels tomorrow.

If the power of all your friend's positive thinking works, you'll definitely have a trouble free trip. Hope you don't have to be at your next refuge for a few weeks. I'll be in Montana - but at Red Rock Lakes instead of National Bison Range. My boss told me to be sure and call before I started my trip because I may not yet be able to get in from the west - pass still closed. And he sent pictures of snow about 7 feet deep - the cleared road had snow higher than the cars. And people from MN visiting Oke have been telling me they have had way more snow than usual. I had noped to come take you out but I think you are leaving a few days before Natalie and my schedules give us a day over there. But I'm sure our paths will cross again.

Just stop taking Murphy along as a passenger and all your problems will be solved! :cD

Have a great trip, looking forward to seeing how well your new satellite system works out. I have a dome on the roof, but at times due to tree cover, I have to use the portable set up. I really dislike setting it up, it takes a lot of finesse and patience, two things I'm a little short on... ;c)

I think we are done with freezing nights now. I think. We'll still have some close ones but I think!

But Cabela's in Rogers, Minnesota, had not yet turned on their free water yesterday so we didn't dump our antifreeze in their free dump. We'll be heading south Friday but not camping along the way so we may not dewinterize before leaving.

Hey, Judy, add my wishes for safe travels to the others. Looking forward to hearing all about your wonderful, easy, trouble free trip up north. Those spoonbills are just crazy looking birds. Makes me smile every time I see your photo and remember good times with you at Anahuac.

With all the well-wishes headed your way, you’ll do fine…or looking at the date, did fine! You have had more than your share. I’ve bet you’ve learned something each time, though. Love your pictures, as always.

I'll be interested to hear how you like your new automatic dish. We had one installed on our Winnebago and it seemed as if 1/2 the time we ended up parked in places we could not get a good signal. Never the problem of the dish -- just a sightline issue. Not sure if we will get another installed or not.

Attitude is everything, but sometimes stuff just happens. Having the opportunity to plan some of those happenings helps -- just as you are doing.

Something like a windshield wiper just flying off is hardly routine. And everything does get older: and unless you have a magic potion when machines get older they rarely perform better! There was maintenance on your house, your apartment, your condo or whatever just like on your RV -- sometimes we just get into a different part of the cycle than we want to be in. argh.

I can't imagine why you've had so many issues when traveling. Like I can't imagine why I have so many rodents when parked. Maybe we should both be doing more positive thinking. I will not have mice, I will not have mice. I don't think either of us is doing anything wrong. Maybe we're getting all the junk out of the way so our Golden Years will be very smooth?